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Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the changes of aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL)-6 in patients with acute macular edema secondary to recent-onset branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) after a single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA)
Methods
Aqueous and plasma levels of VEGF and IL-6 were measured by ELISA in ten controls and thirty patients at the time of IVTA and 3 months afterward. We compared the aqueous levels of VEGF and IL-6 and the clinical course between responders and non-responders.
Results
The aqueous levels of VEGF and IL-6 were significantly higher in non-responders than in responders at baseline measurements (495±259 pg/ml vs. 223±110 pg/ml, P<.001; 36±32 pg/ml vs. 16±19 pg/ml, P=.037, respectively). The aqueous levels of VEGF were still higher in non-responders (303±75 pg/ml) 3 months after IVTA, while the aqueous levels of VEGF in responders returned to normal (77±23 pg/ml, P<.001). The aqueous levels of IL-6 normalized in all patients 3 months after IVTA. In non-responders, central foveal thickness was significantly higher, and foveal ischemia and a wide non-perfused area were more common.
References
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Figure 1.
Aqueous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at the time of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (A) and 3 months later (B). The horizontal bars indicate the mean values at each measurement.
Figure 2.
Aqueous levels of interleukin-6 at the time of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (A) and 3 months later (B). The horizontal bars indicate the mean values at each measurement.
Table 1.
Demographic characteristics of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and control subjects
| Variables | Patients w | ith BRVO | Healthy controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Responders (n=16) | Non-responders* (n=14) | (n=10) | |
| Age, yrs (mean±SD) | 57.2±7.9 | 58.7±7.4 | 62.6±9.5 |
| Gender (male:female) | 14:4 | 7:5 | 4:6 |
| Hypertension, n (%) | 14 (78) | 8 (75) | 6 (60) |
Table 2.
Clinical outcomes of patients with branch retinal vein occlusion after single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) according to the therapeutic response
Table 3.
Aqueous and plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL)-6 in p retinal vein occlusion after single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) patients with branch
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